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Regeneration Ideas Get Strong Public Support 31 May 2006

NEWS RELEASE

Making Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth a better place to live, work and visit and improvements to transport are the top priorities for the public say the results of a recent consultation by urban regeneration company 1st East.

With almost 1,000* responses to the ideas for regeneration, 1st East also has a clearer idea of what the public would like to see included in its masterplan to improve quality of life in both towns.

A common theme for Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft was the need to reduce traffic congestion with a third river crossing seen as key to both towns.

In Great Yarmouth one of the most popular regeneration ideas was the creation of a new leisure broad in the river Bure loop, together with improvements to the main approaches to the town and the creation of the proposed new outer harbour, whilst in Lowestoft improvements to the outer harbour, reconfiguring the area around the Railway Station and changes to the area around the South Quay of Lake Lothing were popular options.

1st East chief executive, Philip Watkins said: “We are delighted at the strong support we have from the public so far. However, there are some areas where there is a difference of opinion between the general public and the responses from some of the other stakeholders. In some cases we will also need to balance the popular option against some of the technical work that is underway to evaluate what can be achieved,”

For further information contact Carol Holland, Director of Marketing on 01493 334455.

Notes to Editors

About 1st East
1st East is one of 21 urban regeneration companies in the UK, all led by the private sector but with some funding from government. In Lowestoft, 1st East is focussing its efforts on Lake Lothing, the Fish Dock and Ness Point while in Great Yarmouth areas identified as prime for regeneration are North Quay, Cobholm, Southtown, South Quay, South Denes and Runham Vauxhall.

The company is funded by the East of England Regional Development Agency (EEDA), Norfolk and Suffolk county councils, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Waveney District Council.

About the consultation

A seven week consultation with the public was launched in March with simultaneous exhibitions showing a range of ideas for regenerating and developing the two towns and asking for views on what is important to residents and businesses.

A range of options was presented for both towns with broad ideas which are now being adjusted in the light of views received during the consultation. These ideas are now informing a more detailed regeneration masterplan being produced by Halcrow, the international infrastructure development consultancy.

The exhibitions in March saw a total of 5,200 responses to the ideas on display. This was followed by a seven week formal consultation with a total of *962 responses. These comprised:
Respondents were asked 13 questions about what was most important to improving the quality of life in both towns with choices ranging from strongly support to strongly against. Over 30% of respondents strongly supported the 1st East vision to make the two towns a better place to live closely followed by 23% strongly for improving the ability to get around by road, on foot, by bike or public transport. The third highest priority was attracting new money to invest in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

Ideas for Lowestoft
 Two ideas were presented, one looking at technological innovation and one at tourism development. With a 71% vote, the most popular option (B) focusses on tourism development with the employment focus north of the harbour in a business park and support for existing fishing industry and associated marine activities. This is the area directly to the south of the town centre. At this point, LakeLothing is visible but not accessible. Three ideas showed how this area can be regenerated with a 70% vote for Option A which shows a reconfiguration of the station and associated urban development and a new bridge crossing across LakeLothing. Two ideas showed how the large areas of land Brooke Marine peninsula could be transformed. Option A, with 68% of the vote, looks at mixed use development of shops, houses and office development together with the retention of existing quays. This option also proposes an alternative location for a third river crossing. The development of Lowestoft is restricted by limited opportunities to cross the lake and railway. Five ideas explored possible solutions to a third crossing with the two most popular being a crossing at the centre of LakeLothing connecting with the relief road currently under construction and the option close to the current Bascule bridge.


Ideas for Great Yarmouth

 The creation of a new broad could help diversify and complement existing tourism and create more leisure opportunities for local people. A total of 73% supported this option. There are two main entrances to the town – at Northgate and the Haven bridge area. Ideas explore how both of these areas could be improved. This idea looks at creating an attractive entrance to the town and giving pedestrians better access to the river. This option received a 72% vote. Both options offered were equally strongly supported with 59% of the vote. Option A looks at a new entry into the historic town and Option B explores how West Quay could be transformed from heavy industry into an area which gives the public access to the river and creates homes, shops and offices in a mixed use development. Four different ideas looked at how a new river crossing could be created to allow for South Denes to be regenerated and to provide good access to the proposed Eastport. A high bridge to Southgate Road received the highest vote of 56%. The feasibility for the Great Yarmouth river crossing is being explored by a working party which includes Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Norfolk County Council, 1st East and other agencies. There are three different ideas to make better use of this under used area The option which concentrates port activities to the southern end of the peninsula was most popular with 59% of the vote, closely followed by an expanded Eastport with 56% of the vote.